Japanese media reported on the 15th that bear attacks on humans have occurred frequently in recent months, resulting in seven deaths this fiscal year, the highest number on record. The Japanese government has warned the public to stay alert and enhance precautions regarding “bear sightings.”.
Data released by Japan’s Ministry of Environment shows that since the start of this fiscal year in April, seven people have been killed by bears in Japan, marking a record high since the statistics began in the fiscal year 2006. The victims came from Iwate, Hokkaido, Miyagi, Akita, and Nagano prefectures.
The data also shows that from April to September this year, a total of 108 people in Japan were attacked by bears, marking the most severe situation in history, with 39 injuries occurring alone in September.
In Japan, autumn is the season when bears are most likely to appear in human-inhabited areas. According to media reports, in recent years, due to Japan’s declining population and scattered settlements, along with the increase in abandoned farmland, the boundary between forests and human settlements has gradually blurred. At the same time, the production of wild tree nuts has decreased, prompting bears to venture into human-inhabited areas more frequently in search of food.
To address the increasing incidents of attacks by wild animals such as bears on humans, Japan has revised its laws on wildlife protection and hunting management, easing regulations on hunting wildlife effective September 1. Local governments may permit hunters to shoot bears after implementing safety measures like evacuations or restricted access. Previously, the use of firearms in densely populated areas was prohibited unless there was a life-threatening situation and a police order.
According to Japanese media reports, the Sendai City government in Miyagi Prefecture commissioned hunters to drive away a black bear that appeared in a residential area on the 15th. As stated by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, this marks the first instance of using shotguns to drive away bears under the new law.